NJC suspends three judges, cautions others over misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three senior judicial officers for one year without pay and reprimanded several others following a sweeping review of judicial conduct across federal and state courts.

The disciplinary actions were finalized during the council’s 112th meeting, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The rulings address growing public concerns over procedural abuses, including unlawful contempt proceedings, arbitrary bench warrants, and unauthorized reviews of lower court judgments.

The suspended judges include Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court. In addition to their one-year suspensions, two of the jurists face a three-year embargo on judicial promotion and elevation.

Cracking down on procedural overreach

Detailing the grounds for the penalties, the council emphasized that judicial power must be exercised strictly within constitutional boundaries.

Justice Biambo was sanctioned following findings that he ordered the arrest of litigants and imposed arbitrary fines in a civil dispute without instituting proper contempt proceedings or observing mandatory service rules. The council noted that such actions violate fundamental guarantees of fair hearing.

Similarly, Grand Kadi Salihu faced suspension for intervening in and effectively reopening a valid judgment previously delivered by an Upper Area Court—a process the NJC classified as an improper appeal against a court of competent jurisdiction, contravening the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

Beyond the suspensions, the council issued formal warnings and caution letters to several other judicial officers over case management flaws, delayed rulings, and procedural lapses. Among those cautioned are Justice Kayode Agunloye and Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, alongside judges from Nasarawa, Enugu, and Imo states.

Justice Kawu was specifically placed on the council’s administrative watchlist following scrutiny over his handling of an interim bail application during ongoing remand proceedings.

As part of its broader review, the council also rendered decisions on several petitions brought against other judicial officers:

• Petitions Dismissed: The council formally dismissed petitions against Justice B. M. Balarabe and Justice Evelyn N. Anyadike after the respective petitioners chose to withdraw their complaints. A petition targeting Justice Abdullahi Mika’ilu of the Niger State High Court was likewise dismissed due to a lack of diligent prosecution by the complainant.
• Petition Struck Out Over Social Media Leak: A petition filed against Justice Peter O. Ikujuni of the Ondo State High Court was struck out entirely, with the council citing procedural compromises after the petition was leaked and circulated on social media platforms prior to formal deliberation.
• Ongoing Investigation: Despite a formal notice of withdrawal submitted by the petitioner, the council decided to proceed with its full investigation into the petition filed against Justice G. N. Ugbala of the Ebonyi State High Court, emphasizing that allegations of judicial misconduct may warrant independent scrutiny regardless of a complainant’s stance.

The NJC reiterated that while judicial independence remains paramount, it cannot be invoked to shield arbitrary actions or departures from established legal precedents.